'Sudden Oak Death', or 'Ramorum leaf and stem blight' is a disease caused by the fungus Phytophthora ramorum (Pr) that accumulates on host plants (such as Ericaceous plants, which include heathers, azaleas and rhododendrons). This disease is relatively new, only having been identified in the early 1990's in Europe and California. Symptoms of Pr in plants are identifiable, but often, the plants show no symptoms, making diagnosis and monitoring for the disease difficult.
The nursery industry in BC is aggressively working to stop the possible movement of Pr into our part of the Pacific Northwest, in co-operation with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (BCMAL) and other agencies.
Pr is not known to be established in BC. Incidents of Pr in BC have been minimal and sporadic and if found are immediately and rigorously eradicated under the auspices of the CFIA.
In the spring of 2004, thousands of potentially Pr infected camellias were unknowingly distributed across North America. In BC, the industry took up a large scale public recall of possibly infected camellias, and collected and disposed of them safely. This quick action was the only public recall of camellias in North America and minimized the risk of Pr coming into BC.
To further minimize the risk of importing and moving Pr, the BCLNA, with assistance from BCMAL and the CFIA, has developed a Pr Certification Program for nursery growers, silviculture and floriculture industries. This comprehensive program includes mandatory sampling and testing for Pr, workshops for nursery staff, implementation of best management practices and an audit by an independent organization.
California Oak Mortality Task Force:
http://nature.berkeley.edu/comtf/
US Department of Agriculture:
http://www.aphis.usda.govUnited Kingdom Department of Environment, Farm and Rural Affairs:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/pramorum.htm
For detailed information on the P. ramorum Certification program in Canada, visit Canada Nursery (CNLA) website's "Nursery Programs" page.
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